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Comparative actions of monomethoxyamphetamines on the release and uptake of biogenic amines in brain tissue.

para-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA), a known hallucinogen, is the most potent compound among methoxyamphetamines in disrupting behavior in rats. PMA, unlike d-amphetamine (A), did not induce stereotyped behavior and was less effective than A in stimulation of locomotor d-amphetamine-like effects, but ortho-methoxyamphetamine (OMA) was devoid of any locomotor stimulation. To investigate the reasons for the different behavioral effects caused by PMA, meta-methoxyamphetamine (MMA), OMA and A, a comparison was made among these drugs on the release and uptake of 3H-5-hydroxytryptamine (3H-5-HT), 3H-norepinephrine (3H-NE) and 3H-dopamine (3H-DA) in tissue slices of cerebral cortex and corpus striatum of rat brain. The potencies for the increased release of 3H-5-HT were found to be PMA greater than MMA greater than or equal to A greater than OMA in cerebral cortex of 3H-NE in cortex, A greater than or equal to PMA = MMA greater than OMA, and of 3H-DA in corpus striatum, A greater than MMA greater than PMA greater than or equal to OMA. The potencies for inhibiting the uptake of 3H-5-HT in cerebral cortex and corpus striatum were found to be PMA greater than MMA greater than A greater than OMA and of 3H-NE in cortex A greater than PMA greater than or equal to MMA greater than OMA, and 3H-DA in corpus striatum A greater than MMA greater than PMA greater than OMA. d-PMA is equipotent to l-PMA in increasing the release of 3H-5-HT but is more potent than l-PMA in blocking the uptake of 3H-5-HT. The high potency of PMA on increasing the release and inhibiting the uptake of 5-HT suggests than 5-HT may be involved in the production of hallucinogenic effects of PMA.

Amphetamines↗

Attenuation of amphetamine-stereotypy by mesostriatal dopamine depletion enhances plasma corticosterone: implications for stereotypy as a coping response.

The relationship between amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior and a neuroendocrine index of arousal, plasma corticosterone (CCS), was investigated. 6-Hydroxydopamine lesions of the caudate-putamen, which produced dopamine depletions of 60%, blocked stereotypy and prolonged the elevation in corticosterone associated with d-amphetamine treatment (5 mg/kg). Similar dopamine depleting lesions of the nucleus accumbens, which attenuated the locomotor, but not the stereotypic, response to AMPH did not have this effect on CCS. This pattern of results supports the hypothesis that stereotypy has a coping function which may serve to alter arousal and further suggests important differences between the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopamine projections in modulating the responsiveness of the neuroendocrine system. These results have implications for understanding the function of behavioral stereotypies common to a number of psychopathological conditions, including schizophrenia and childhood autism.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Initiation of male sperm-transfer behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans requires input from the ventral nerve cord.

BACKGROUND: The Caenorhabditis elegans male exhibits a stereotypic behavioral pattern when attempting to mate. This behavior has been divided into the following steps: response, backing, turning, vulva location, spicule insertion, and sperm transfer. We and others have begun in-depth analyses of all these steps in order to understand how complex behaviors are generated. Here we extend our understanding of the sperm-transfer step of male mating behavior. RESULTS: Based on observation of wild-type males and on genetic analysis, we have divided the sperm-transfer step of mating behavior into four sub-steps: initiation, release, continued transfer, and cessation. To begin to understand how these sub-steps of sperm transfer are regulated, we screened for ethylmethanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutations that cause males to transfer sperm aberrantly. We isolated an allele of unc-18, a previously reported member of the Sec1/Munc-18 (SM) family of proteins that is necessary for regulated exocytosis in C. elegans motor neurons. Our allele, sy671, is defective in two distinct sub-steps of sperm transfer: initiation and continued transfer. By a series of transgenic site-of-action experiments, we found that motor neurons in the ventral nerve cord require UNC-18 for the initiation of sperm transfer, and that UNC-18 acts downstream or in parallel to the SPV sensory neurons in this process. In addition to this neuronal requirement, we found that non-neuronal expression of UNC-18, in the male gonad, is necessary for the continuation of sperm transfer. CONCLUSION: Our division of sperm-transfer behavior into sub-steps has provided a framework for the further detailed analysis of sperm transfer and its integration with other aspects of mating behavior. By determining the site of action of UNC-18 in sperm-transfer behavior, and its relation to the SPV sensory neurons, we have further defined the cells and tissues involved in the generation of this behavior. We have shown both a neuronal and non-neuronal requirement for UNC-18 in distinct sub-steps of sperm-transfer behavior. The definition of circuit components is a crucial first step toward understanding how genes specify the neural circuit and hence the behavior.

Animals↗

Effects of affect, stereotype consistency, and valence of behavior on causal attributions.

The authors examined 3 hypotheses about the effects of 2 positive and 2 negative affects on causal attributions. On the basis of cognitive appraisal theories of emotion, they predicted that the grateful and angry participants would attribute causality for like-valenced behaviors to the target more strongly than would the happy and sad participants, respectively. Following an affect-induction procedure, 229 Anglo-American participants read a description of an African American target whose behavior was stereotype consistent or stereotype inconsistent and positive or negative in valence. As predicted, when the behavior was negative, the angry participants attributed it more strongly to the target than did the sad participants. When the behavior was positive, the grateful participants attributed it more strongly to the target than did the happy participants. The importance of distinguishing among affects and considering their multidimensional nature in predicting effects on social judgments is emphasized.

Adult↗

Amoxapine in experimental psychopharmacology: a neuroleptic or an antidepressant?

2-Chloro-11-(piperazinyl)dibenz[b,f][1,4]-oxazepine (amoxapine) gives an unusual spectrum in psychopharmacological tests. Many of its effects are similar to those of neuroleptics: sedation, decrease in motor activity, catalepsy (which is, however, qualitatively different from that induced by classical neuroleptics), transitory suppression of avoidance reaction, antagonism of amphetamine induced toxicity in crowded mice and inhibition of stereotyped behavior induced by amphetamine in rats, and antagonism to various effects of apomorphine (stereotyped behaviour in rats, climbing behaviour, stereotyped behaviour and hypothermia in mice). At similar doses which produce the above mentioned effects, amoxapine also shows effects atypical for a neuroleptic, but which are relatively characteristic of antidepressants: antagonism of prochlorperazine-induced catalepsy in rats, inhibition of reserpine induced hypothermia in mice and enhancement of yohimbine toxicity in mice. The profile of this substance does not facilitate the anticipation of therapeutic effects in humans.

Amoxapine↗

Female odors stimulate CART neurons in the ventral premammillary nucleus of male rats.

Olfactory information is known to influence both male and female sexual behavior. Chemosensory compounds known as pheromones activate distinct brain pathways, inducing innate and stereotyped behaviors, as well as hormonal changes. Studies have shown that female odors induce Fos expression in various brain nuclei of conspecific males, including the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMV). Although poorly investigated, previous studies have suggested that the PMV plays a role in aggressive and sexual behavior. In this study, we used Fos protein expression as a marker for neurons responsive to female odors in sexual inexperienced male rats exposed to soiled bedding. We observed that female odors induced intense Fos immunoreactivity throughout the PMV. Most of these neurons also express cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) immunoreactivity. In addition, we used in situ hybridization and observed that, following exposure to female odors, CART mRNA increased only in the ventral PMV. Our results suggest that female odors stimulate CART production in the PMV of inexperienced males. Considering that the PMV CART neurons also express the leptin receptor, as well as the fact that they project to areas related to reproduction, we hypothesize that PMV CART neurons integrate nutritional and environmental (olfactory) information, being apt to modulate male reproductive behavior.

Animals↗

Variations in regional SPECT hypoperfusion and clinical features in frontotemporal dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the presenting clinical features for frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and contrast them with the degree of frontal and temporal hypoperfusion on SPECT imaging. METHODS: The authors evaluated 74 patients who eventually met Consensus Criteria for the FTD form of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (excluding primary progressive aphasia and semantic dementia) on 2-year follow-up. On first presentation, these patients had undergone both an FTD Inventory for 12 features based on core and supportive Consensus Criteria and SPECT imaging. The initial clinical diagnostic features were contrasted with variations in regional SPECT hypoperfusion. RESULTS: The patients with FTD had more hypoperfusion in the right frontal lobe than in other regions; the subgroup of 25 patients who met Consensus Criteria from the first presentation had the most right frontal hypoperfusion. Frontal lobe involvement was associated with significant apathy, whereas temporal lobe involvement was associated with hypomania-like behavior. Right frontal lobe hypoperfusion further predicted loss of insight, environmental dependency, and stereotyped behaviors. Other associations included left frontal hypoperfusion with a decline in personal hygiene and left temporal hypoperfusion with compulsions and mental rigidity. CONCLUSIONS: On first presentation, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is disproportionately a right frontal disease evident on behavioral measures and on SPECT. Nonetheless, patients with FTD can initially present with further regional differences in clinical diagnostic features, such as apathy with bifrontal hypoperfusion and hypomania-like behaviors with anterior temporal involvement.

Brain↗

Efficacy and safety of naltrexone use in pediatric patients with autistic disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy and safety of naltrexone in pediatric patients with autistic disorder (AD). DATA SOURCES: Using the terms pediatric, child, naltrexone, autism, and autistic disorder, a literature search was performed using MEDLINE (1966-May 18, 2006) and the International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1971-May 18, 2006) database. The references of these articles were scanned for additional relevant literature. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles describing or evaluating the efficacy and/or safety of naltrexone in pediatric patients with AD were included in this review. Three case reports, 8 case series, and 14 clinical studies were identified as pertinent. DATA SYNTHESIS: Naltrexone has been used most commonly at doses ranging from 0.5 to 2 mg/kg/day and found to be predominantly effective in decreasing self-injurious behavior. Naltrexone may also attenuate hyperactivity, agitation, irritability, temper tantrums, social withdrawal, and stereotyped behaviors. Patients may also exhibit improved attention and eye contact. Transient sedation was the most commonly reported adverse event. Small sample size, short duration, and inconsistent evaluative methods characterize the available research. CONCLUSIONS: A child affected by AD may benefit from a trial of naltrexone therapy, particularly if the child exhibits self-injurious behavior and other attempted therapies have failed. Serious adverse effects have not been reported in short-term studies.

Autistic Disorder↗

Spontaneous stereotypy in an animal model of Down syndrome: Ts65Dn mice.

Stereotyped behaviors (e.g., body rocking) occur at high rates in individuals with mental retardation (e.g., Down syndrome). To determine if spontaneous stereotypy occurs in a murine model of Down syndrome, the home cage behavior of Ts65Dn and control mice was monitored during the dark cycle. Motor activity was further assessed in novel automated test chambers, with acoustic startle and rotor rod paradigms providing additional environmental challenges. Spontaneous stereotypy (repetitive jumping and cage top twirling) was observed in the home cage in approximately half of the Ts65Dn mice, compared with approximately 10% of diploid controls. Repetitive jumping was observed exclusively in the Ts65Dn mice. In the open field, although no differences were found between Ts65Dn and control mice, stereotypic Ts65Dn mice exhibited significantly less locomotor activity and rearing relative to control and nonstereotypic Ts65Dn mice. Ts65Dn mice attained significantly lower rotor rod speeds but did not differ from controls in the amplitude of the acoustic startle response. These environmental challenges did not increase stereotypy over home cage rates but induced stereotypy in two additional animals. The Ts65Dn model may aid in identifying genes associated with the development and expression of stereotypy.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

On the relation between object manipulation and stereotypic self-injurious behavior.

Results from a number of studies have shown an inverse relationship between stereotypic behavior and object manipulation. The purposes of this study were to determine whether techniques similar to those used previously (prompting and reinforcement) would be effective in increasing object manipulation under both prompted and unprompted conditions, and to ascertain whether increases in object manipulation would result in decreases in stereotypic self-injurious behavior (SIB). Two individuals with developmental disabilities who engaged in SIB maintained by automatic reinforcement participated. Results showed that object manipulation increased from baseline levels when experimenters prompted participants to manipulate leisure items, but that object manipulation was not maintained under unprompted conditions, and rates of SIB stayed within baseline levels. We then attempted to increase object manipulation further by (a) reinforcing object manipulation, (b) blocking SIB while reinforcing manipulation, and (c) preventing SIB by applying protective equipment while reinforcing object manipulation. Reinforcing object manipulation alone did not affect levels of object manipulation. Blocking effectively reduced attempts to engage in SIB for 1 participant but produced no increase in object manipulation. When the 2nd participant was prevented from engaging in SIB through the use of protective equipment, rates of object manipulation increased dramatically but were not maintained when the equipment was removed. These results suggest that stimulation derived from object manipulation, even when supplemented with arbitrary reinforcement, may not compete with stimulation produced by stereotypic SIB; therefore, direct interventions to reduce SIB are required.

Adult↗

Methamphetamine administration during gestation impairs maternal behavior.

Previous studies demonstrated that repeated drug exposure, such as opiates or cocaine, during the gestation period attenuates maternal behavior of rats; however, it is not known whether methamphetamine (MA), a drug whose usage has increased recently, negatively affects maternal behavior as well. Therefore, the present study tested the hypothesis that repeated subcutaneous administration of MA (5 mg/kg daily) throughout the entire gestation period alters maternal behavior. Dams (control, saline-, and MA-treated) were observed with their pups in two types of tests. In the observation test, 11 types of activities and three types of nursing positions of mothers were recorded 10 times during each 50-min session for the 22-day lactation period. A decrease in nursing and active maternal behavior was found in MA-treated mothers relative to control rats. In addition, stereotypic behavior such as rearing and sniffing was increased in MA- as well as in saline-treated mothers relative to controls. All mothers, regardless of the treatment, displayed significantly less maternal behavior and more nonmaternal activities as postpartum time progressed. In the retrieval test, mothers also were tested for pup retrieval from postpartum Days 1 through 12. MA-treated mothers were slower in retrieving the first pup, returning the first pup into the nest, and returning all pups into the nest relative to controls or saline-treated mothers. Interestingly, the latency to return all pups to the nest was longer in saline-treated mothers relative to controls. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a novel finding that MA administered during the gestation period has a negative effect on maternal behavior.

Adrenergic Agents↗

Is autism an autoimmune disease?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a spectrum of behavioral anomalies characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, often accompanied by repetitive and stereotyped behavior. The condition manifests within the first 3 years of life and persists into adulthood. There are numerous hypotheses regarding the etiology and pathology of ASD, including a suggested role for immune dysfunction. However, to date, the evidence for involvement of the immune system in autism has been inconclusive. While immune system abnormalities have been reported in children with autistic disorder, there is little consensus regarding the nature of these differences which include both enhanced autoimmunity and reduced immune function. In this review, we discuss current findings with respect to immune function and the spectrum of autoimmune phenomena described in children with ASD.

Autistic Disorder↗

The effects of intellectual functioning and autism severity on outcome of early behavioral intervention for children with autism.

UNLABELLED: This study assessed the relation between pre-intervention variables (cognition, socialization and communication) to outcome in young children with autism. METHOD: Twenty five children with autism (20-32 months) were enrolled in intensive behavior intervention. The children were divided into groups based on their IQ scores and on the severity of their social interaction and communication deficits [per autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) scores]. Six developmental-behavioral domains including, imitation, receptive language, expressive language, nonverbal communication skills, play skills and stereotyped behaviors were assessed at pre- and post-1 year of intervention times. RESULTS: Significant progress was noted in all the six developmental-behavioral domains after 1 year of intervention. Children with higher initial cognitive levels and children with fewer measured early social interaction deficits showed better acquisition of skills in three developmental areas, receptive language, expressive language and play skills. Both groups showed better progress in Receptive language skills. Better progress in expressive language was associated with the child's social abilities, while more significant progress in play skills was related to pre-intervention cognitive level. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the importance of early intensive intervention in autism and the value of pre-intervention cognitive and social interaction levels for predicting outcome.

Autistic Disorder↗

Behaviors of mice given forced-swimming.

Behaviors of mice in the forced swimming test are motionlessness, climbing and the other stereotypical behaviors. We observed these behaviors in different ages and sex and in repeated forced swimming trials. The findings were 1) quantities of the climbing and the other behaviors were different with the age and sex, 2) repeated per day forced swimming remarkably increased motionlessness and motionlessness is memorized for at least 14 days, and 3) climbing is the typical opposite behavior of motionlessness and was related to adrenergic but not serotonergic neuronal activity. When these behaviors are recognized as adaptation behaviors, we conclude that mice given repeated forced swimming, but not mice given one trial of forced swimming, can be considered as a model of human depression relating to adrenaline neuronal activity.

Age Factors↗

Multiple inhibitory actions of the paramedian reticular nucleus--effects on blood pressure and motor activities in rats.

The paramedian reticular nucleus (PRN) is a triangle midline structure located in the caudal medulla. Electrophysiological and biochemical evidence has suggested that PRN is an important depressor area, and it regulates various cardiovascular functions. The present results have demonstrated that PRN also plays an inhibitory role in a variety of behavioral functions. Lesions of this nucleus produced augmentations of many behavioral measures including: locomotor activity, clockwise and anti-clockwise turnings, as well as stereotyped behavior in rats. It also produced an increased and a more randomized pattern of locomotion. Destructions of the area of nucleus of solitary tract, which affects bradycardia and sometimes hypotension; as well as the midbrain reticular formation, which does not show any cardiovascular responses, yielded much less significant effects. These results confirm previous physiological findings from our laboratory and further suggest that PRN is a unique and independent area which exerts multiple inhibitory actions upon various physiological and behavioral functions in animals.

Animals↗

Bimodal effects of MK-801 on locomotion and stereotypy in C57BL/6 mice.

RATIONALE: Systemic injection of the non-competitive NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine maleate) causes both increased locomotion in rodents and various stereotypic behaviors that are proposed to model certain aspects of schizophrenic symptoms in humans. OBJECTIVES: This study presents a comprehensive characterization of the bimodal effects of MK-801 on locomotion and stereotypy in the C57BL/6 mouse strain, a strain commonly used for genetically modified mice. RESULTS: We found that it is important to analyze both locomotion and stereotypy in parallel, as MK-801-induced stereotypy results in abnormal movements that are recorded as locomotion by automated beam detection systems. Furthermore, it is important to analyze the bimodal effects of MK-801 over an extended time span, rather than the commonly used narrower time window, as at higher doses (e.g., above 0.3 mg/kg) the hyperlocomotion phase develops only after the stereotypic phase subsides. We also observed that the apparent dose-response curve is very sensitive to the particular time window chosen for analysis because MK-801 affects both the time course and maximum value of stimulated locomotion. We show that analyzing the absolute peak value of locomotion induced for each animal, rather than group-averaged time courses, provides a measure that is sensitive over a wider range of MK-801 doses. Interestingly, MK-801 even at a very low dose of 0.02 mg/kg suppressed rather than enhanced rearing behavior, differing in this regard from amphetamine. CONCLUSIONS: The non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 induces a complex pattern of behavioral modification in mice with respect to both the time course and the dose-response relationship of behavioral changes. The results of this study provide a foundation and frame of reference for the growing interest in studying MK-801-induced behavior in mice.

Animals↗

Habit learning and anorexia nervosa: a cognitive neuroscience hypothesis.

OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by abnormal behaviors involving eating and weight that are impressively resistant to change. The persistence of these behaviors likely plays an important role in the high relapse rate after initial treatment. Persistent, stereotyped behaviors are also characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This article presents a neurocognitive model of AN, based on comparisons with OCD. METHOD: This article reviews clinical, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging findings in both OCD and AN relevant to a neurobiological understanding of a potential mechanism of the perpetuation of AN. RESULTS: The identification of specific neurocognitive disturbances in individuals with OCD has led to a compelling hypothesis of the neural mechanisms mediating this disorder. Evidence suggests that similar disturbances, involving neural circuits between the cortex and the basal ganglia, may be present in individuals with AN. CONCLUSION: Research on such neurocognitive disturbances has the potential both to inform understanding of neural mechanisms underlying AN and to lead to advances in treatment.

Anorexia Nervosa↗

6-(alkylamino)-9-alkylpurines. A new class of potential antipsychotic agents.

A series of 6-(alkylamino)-9-alkylpurines was synthesized and evaluated for the property of antagonizing the behavioral effects in animals of the dopamine agonist apomorphine. This model for identifying potential antipsychotic agents is based on the hypothesis that agents that antagonize apomorphine-induced aggressive behavior in rats and apomorphine-induced climbing in mice, but that do not block stereotyped behavior, could have an antipsychotic effect in humans without producing extrapyramidal side effects. The antiaggressive-behavior activity of lead compound 1 (6-(dimethylamino)-9-(3-phenylalaninamidobenzyl)-9H-purine) was improved 48-fold with 6-(cyclopropylamino)-9-(cyclopropylmethyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-9H- purine (80) (po ED50 of 2 mg/kg), which was obtained through an iterative sequence of structure--activity relationship studies that encompassed evaluation of the effects of structure variations at the purine 9-, 6-, and 2-positions. Potency was enhanced with a 9-cyclopropyl group, the duration of action was improved with the 6-(cyclopropylamino) substituent, potency was further enhanced with an N-formyl prodrug, and an agent with reduced cardiovascular effect emerged with the 2-trifluoromethyl purine 80. This potential antipsychotic agent was not developed further due to undesirable effects on the stomach.

Aggression↗